Led By Horses

Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) offers a unique hands-on approach to personal growth and development. Certified equine coaches facilitate interactive activities with horses to provide participants with powerful insights into their own behaviors, relationships, and potential. Through observing and responding to a horse's immediate reactions and feedback, individuals gain self-awareness and learn how their actions impact others. EAL sessions involve experiential learning in which the horse acts as a mirror, teacher, and guide. By engaging with these intelligent sensitive prey animals, participants can better understand their own patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. The horse's responses reveal how one shows up and connects with others. EAL offers a journey of self-discovery and possibility for positive change.

The Led By Horses Program at Dove Creek Equine Rescue was developed in 2017 as a result of Laurie Higgins-Kerley’s deep desire to help humans through the wisdom of horses. Laurie holds certifications from The EAL Academy and The Academy of Coaching with Horses. In each session, the goal is to facilitate insight and sustained change using the intelligence of the horse.

Led By Horses participants have an opportunity to heal emotional scars and develop new life skills and practices. The horse-human connection deepens the ability to identify the root causes of what makes everyday life difficult: lingering emotions, false beliefs, old patterns, and codependent relationships… all roadblocks that prevent us from moving forward. Through social interaction with horses, they gently and compassionately show us how to discover our own wisdom and gain access to new ways of being.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) leverages the innate abilities of horses to help teams unlock their full potential. The horse is an incredibly perceptive animal, attuned to the subtle dynamics and emotional landscapes of any group. We design interactive activities with these intuitive creatures to illuminate team dynamics, strengthen communication and problem-solving skills.

The horses act as mirrors, highlighting the strengths, obstacles and hidden patterns within each group through their reactions. Teams gain powerful insights into their cohesion, or lack thereof, in seeking to guide a horse through an exercise. In this experiential learning, the horses provide immediate feedback as the team works together creatively.

Participants learn to understand motivations, improve collaboration, and optimize their collective talents. They find more open and heart-centered ways to communicate and set goals. With new awareness and skills gained from working alongside these sensitive herd animals, teams become more capable, creative and cohesive.

The horse has been by our side for millennia, chosen by early humans as a partner to enhance our lives. This bond was formed not just out of utility, but out of an innate recognition of the horse's spirited nature mirroring our own.

When we look into the large, pensive eyes of an equine and observe their authentic way of being, we remember parts of ourselves - our inner wildness, freedom, intuition, and presence. In their movement, we see embodied grace, strength, and the poetry of being alive.

Horses have willingly borne our burdens and steadfastly carried us into new frontiers, their hoofbeats marking the pulse of human progress. The horse's generous and courageous spirit teaches us to be more humble, patient, resilient and in tune with our own instincts.

Horses are keen observers and sensitive to movement and emotion. Although they are domesticated, horses are prey animals. They are always scanning their environment and are adept at reading the body language and energy of all beings around them. Horses respond to what your body language (emotions, thoughts, intentions, etc) are conveying, your non-verbal communication. They become a powerful mirror of reflection, tuning into your energy and reflecting back how you show up, without ego or judgment. This characteristic makes horses masters at helping us attune to our inner landscape and gain clarity on how to open up to new possibilities and move forward in ways that are authentic and true.

No, you do not need any experience. In fact... the less you know about horses, the more incredible your experience can be! Without any preconceived notions about horses, you show up teachable and open to their wisdom. All sessions are conducted on the ground inside our indoor arena.

Sessions take place at Dove Creek Equine Rescue in Canyon Texas – just 20 miles south of Amarillo. We are located 6 miles west of Canyon off of Hwy 60. Once you pass through the 2nd gate, the road will wind down into the shallow canyon and lead you to the big red barn/arena where all sessions take place.

Dove Creek Equine Rescue (DCER), a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2012, rescues, rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes horses in need throughout the Texas panhandle. The organization's Led By Horses program utilizes select rescue horses that have become permanent residents at DCER's sanctuary. These older horses participate for their aptitude as equine teachers and guides. These horses compassionately guide and support humans through their personal healing journeys. Proceeds from the Led By Horses program help fund the ongoing care and well-being of these remarkable sentient beings. This includes expenses such as feed, veterinary care, farrier services, grooming supplies, boarding, pasture space, and maintenance of DCER's facilities.